Choose 1 of the following selections as your summer
reading; then, complete the corresponding assignments.
Assignments are due the first week of school! Feel free to
read as many as you want; however, you will only be
responsible for one of the selections.
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Hoops by Walter Dean Myers
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
No Safety in Numbers by Dayna Lorentz
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (or any of the
other books in the series)
Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott (or any of the
other books in the series)
The Selection by Kiera Cass (or any of the
other books in the series)
Uglies by Scott
Westerfeld
Blood and Basketball
by Janice Greene
Romiette and Julio
by Sharon Draper
Parents, please note
that some of the
selections may
contain mature
content. We
encourage you to
guide your child in
his/her selection. We
hope that your child
can find something
suitable from the list;
however, if not,
please contact us.
Name:
Name:
Date:
Date:
Study Guide: Double-Entry Journal Template (Quiz grade)
Directions: While reading select five meaningful quotations that support the author’s purpose.
Be sure to include quotations from the beginning, middle, and end of the text. You may write or
type your quotations and commentary. Please adhere to the double-column format.
Title of Text:__________________________
Author:_____________________
1. What is the author’s purpose? Provide evidence to support your conclusion.
Meaningful Quotations
(Include page numbers. Circle key words.)
Commentary and Analysis
(Explain the importance of the quotation and the key
words identified.)
3 Leveled Independent Reading Booklet
Directions: Create a booklet that reflects your understanding of a reading selection. The booklet must:
Include a cover page: name, grade, teacher, and title of reading selection (you may include a
symbolic picture to accompany the heading)
Feature 1 assignment from each level below: a total of 3
Be neatly typed or produced electronically.
Adhere to the rubric guidelines (attached).
Include a copy of the rubric as the last page (attached).
Be bound together as a booklet.
LEVEL ONE (pick 1)
Poem: Write a poem about one of the characters in the story or about the plot of the story. The
poem must paint a clear picture of the character. You can create a diamante poem, an acrostic
poem, a concrete poem, a found poem, a ballad, a sonnet, or free-verse. Use vivid imagery and
literary devices. The more creative, the better!
Paragraph: Write a paragraph explaining why you would like one of the characters as a friend.
You may also choose to write why you would dislike a particular character as a friend. Provide
ample evidence from the reading. Make sure to include your definition of friendship and why or
why not the character you have chosen meets those expectations of friendship. OR, write a
paragraph explaining why you would or wouldn’t recommend your reading selection to a friend.
Reference specific parts of the story as evidence.
Obituary: When someone dies, an obituary is written about the life that person lived. Write an
obituary for one of the characters. An epitaph is also acceptable. Describe how the character
will best be remembered and why. Who does the character leave behind? If the character dies
in the story, describe the character’s death.
Puzzle: Go to Discoveryschool.com or a comparable puzzle making site and create a crossword
puzzle. You must use no less than 10 appropriate words relevant to the reading. Please include
an answer key.
Map: create a map of the setting (this assignment can be drawn). Neatly and vividly illustrate
the important landmarks of the story. You may consult a map for your drawing or print one out;
however, whatever you decide, you must include annotations of the significance of the different
landmarks on the map. You CANNOT simply print out a map! This assignment must clearly and
vividly illustrate the important settings in the story and must be accompanied by brief, yet
thorough explanations.
LEVEL TWO (pick 1)
Journal: Pretend that you are any character in the book. This character has been keeping a
journal. Present one of these entries. It must be at least 1 full page, and must be written in form
of a diary. The entry must reflect on an important scene or event in the story. How does the
character feel? What are the character’s thoughts? Provide specific evidence from the reading.
Friendly Letter: Write a letter from one character to another. The letter can be from the main
character to his/her foil. Or, from a foil to the main character. A foil is a character who contrasts
with another character, usually the protagonist. Discuss the conflict between the two
characters. Describe the particular qualities that are distinctive in both. Include feelings toward
the character being written to, and the purpose for writing.
Collage: On a regular printing sheet of paper (8½ x 11), create a collage that illustrates or tells
something about your book. Use the title of the book as the focus of your collage. Think in terms
of the theme, setting, plot line, as well as characters and symbols to illustrate the key ideas.
Feature as many images/ideas/words so the whole sheet of paper is covered. Also, illustrate an
important quote from one of the characters to make your collage more appealing. The visual
impact of the collage should tell a potential reader a lot about the book. You can use electronic
tools such as PicCollage, FlipGram, Prezi, or a Microsoft Office program.
Political Cartoon or Story Frame: political cartoons are visual satires of a social or political issue.
Create a political cartoon that satirizes an important social or political issue in the reading. You
can also create a story frame (resembles a comic strip) that summarizes the most important
scenes in the story. Each frame must be accompanied by text explaining the picture.
Interview: Write a question and answer interview with one of the characters. You must ask at
least 10 appropriate and interesting questions inspired by the reading. The questions must have
an accurate or implicit response taken from the reading. In other words, the answers cannot be
made up! The Q&A should be thoughtful, detailed, and depict a clear picture of the story.
ABC’s: Use the alphabet scheme to demonstrate your knowledge of the reading. You can either
create an alphabet collage on one 8 ½ x 11 printing paper or list the alphabet in 2 columns (1
page only!). Each letter must highlight a key idea from the reading that begins with the featured
alphabet letter, followed by a brief explanation of your choice (1-2 sentences for each
selection).
LEVEL THREE (pick 1)
Music Soundtrack: select 5 songs that would appropriately capture the theme or themes of the
reading. If you were responsible for the soundtrack of the movie adaptation of the reading,
what would that sound like? For each song, provide the title, performer, a brief summary of
what the song is about, and a thorough explanation as to how it relates to the story. Incorporate
a line or 2 from the songs to supplement the evidence you provide from the reading selection.
You can write this as an essay or as a visual aid on 8 ½ x 11 with pictures of the soundtracks that
accompanies the text.
Additional Chapter: Write another chapter to the story. In no less than 2 pages, predict what
happens next. Remember to keep a logical progression to the story. And, make sure to be
consistent with the writing of the book. If the chapters are titled, then make sure that your
chapter has one too.
Movie Version: Pretend you are a movie studio executive and it is your job to help bring this
book to the silver screen. How would you make this book into a movie? What changes would
need to be made? Why? Who would star in the roles? Would the location be the same as the
book? Can the ending stay the same? What is it about this book that would make a good movie?
Consider the story, theme, characters, theme, etc. Your movie proposal should be at least two
pages long. You might include pictures of actors you’ve suggested, photos of the film’s location,
and any other items that would help convince the studio to make your movie; however, the
pictures should enhance the writing, not overpower it. The pictures can either be wrapped in
the text or added as an appendix.
Comparison: Compare your book to another book, a TV show, a song, or a movie. Explain at
least 3 ways both are similar. This assignment must be at least 2 pages. You may also compare
the book to more than one book, etc.
Book choices for a main character: Select a character and then choose five books for him or her,
thinking about what he or she might like and also what you think they need to know more
about. Why did you select the nonfiction books you did? What do you hope your character will
like about or get out of the fiction? You will write a comprehensive paragraph supporting each
of your selections (a total of 5 paragraphs). .
Editorial: pretend you are a reporter who has been charged with the responsibility of informing
audiences about the conflict the major character experiences. Write a 5 paragraph essay that
introduces the conflict, but also expresses an opinion on it. Use persuasive language to provoke
thought and emotions from your audience.
Critical Review: Select an organization that might have a lot to say about the actions or
portrayals of characters in the novel you read, and write a critique of the book from its point of
view (2 pages). For example the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals might have a lot
to say about a character’s cruelty to animals, The National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People might have plenty to say about the portrayal of a black character, and the
National Organization of Women might argue against or proudly support the portrayal of a
female character.
Mini-Research: Research a topic which relates to the reading. Then, write a 2 page essay
synthesizing information from at least 2 reliable sources. For this project, make sure to include a
Works Cited using the MLA format.
Name:
Date:
Topic:
Total:
Points
CRITERIA
CONTENT
10
Comments:
7
6
Ideas are mostly summarized
and details may be
inconsequential;
A few details may be referenced
without much development;
Project reflects a minimal
understanding of the novel;
Content related to the
novel is incorrect or nonexistent;
Ideas are fully and clearly
developed.
Ideas are alluded to and not as
developed as an A;
Project reflects genuine and indepth understanding of the
literature.
Project reflects an adequate
understanding of the reading;
Details are varied, accurate, and
appropriate.
Details may or may not be varied,
but they are still accurate and
appropriate.
Overall quality is not as
aesthetically appealing as an A;
Details may or may not be
varied, accurate, or appropriate.
Lack of understanding of
topic is evident.
May lack effort and interest in
the project; possibly sloppy or
disorganized.
Project appears thrown
together with little effort
or aesthetic appeal.
Some mechanical errors are
evident, but do not interfere with
the overall quality of the project.
Student appeared nervous, but was
still knowledgeable about topic;
may have needed a little prompting
from teacher.
May have many mechanical
errors.
Details may be difficult to
follow logically.
Student appeared unsure and
not fully knowledgeable.
Student needed support from
teacher.
Student’s lack of
knowledge is evident.
Attention to detail makes obvious
the extensive effort put into the
project;
PRESENTATION
8
Few if any mechanical errors;
Writing is neatly typed; visually
easy to follow/visually attractive.
Student presented information to
class with confidence; student was
clearly knowledgeable about the
topic.
Lack of understanding of
the novel is evident;